OUR VIEW

Sweeps help but not solution

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 14, 2014

The Honolulu Police Department's stepped-up enforcement against petty crimes frequently committed by homeless people is a welcome element of what must be a comprehensive and sustained approach to address the causes of homelessness while simultaneously blunting its disastrous effects. We need leadership at both the city and state levels on this issue.
Law enforcement is but one aspect of a multipronged system that can succeed in the long term only by also increasing access to mental-health services, drug and alcohol treatment, and permanent housing.

The Honolulu Police Department's stepped-up enforcement against petty crimes frequently committed by homeless people is a welcome element of what must be a comprehensive and sustained approach to address the causes of homelessness while simultaneously blunting its disastrous effects. We need leadership at both the city and state levels on this issue.

Law enforcement is but one aspect of a multipronged system that can succeed in the long term only by also increasing access to mental-health services, drug and alcohol treatment, and permanent housing. Login for more...